Her Shame

Stefan

I can see that Diandra is worried. Whoever this guard is has just confirmed she was beaten by the pups.

“What are you trying to say?” King Fredric screams at the woman.

“Princess Diandra, are you afraid of telling your father the truth of how you were, in fact, beaten up?” The woman looks at her.

“You’re lying, I didn’t. Who are you anyway?” Diandra glares at her.

“I’m Beta Jane, from Moonlore pack,” Jane explains.

Diandra laughs. “Oh, you’re Harlyn’s guard; of course, you will say that.” Diandra continues laughing as if she can lie her way out of it.

“True, but he’s not.” Jane points towards the door, and I turn to see Simon, a guard of King Fredric’s. Diandra’s mouth closes.

Father goes to speak, and my mother shakes her head.

“Please don’t interrupt, darling. I’m interested in what Princess Diandra will say now that her guard has witnessed it.” Mother smiles smugly. She’s set to humiliate Diandra, and I should stop this, but I don’t want to.

“I didn’t get beat; they are kids, so I didn’t even attempt to fight back. I wasn’t about to hurt children,” Diandra speaks up, and it’s a lie, a pathetic one at best.

“Really? That’s not what we saw.” Jane smiles at her. The other guard stands quietly, not denying what Jane is saying. Why were they together anyway? I look at them, and Samuel interrupts my thoughts.

“Then please enlighten us, what did you witness? Then we can settle this mess once and for all.” Samuel looks between Jane and Simon.

“Well, Princess Diandra had called Harlyn a slut, accused her of playing a game, called the pups ‘Things’ and threatened for her not to return once she leaves.” I turn, shocked; why would Diandra call her that?

“She grabbed Harlyn, and Harlyn told her Diandra wouldn’t let her hurt her again. Only Diandra did. She stuck Harlyn across the arm, face, and shoulder. She didn’t account for the pups, however.” Jane stepped forward more.

“Thorin came in and had no problem hurting her in the same places she had hurt Harlyn. Princess Diandra did try to attack him back but failed, and worse, when Isaac joined, she had no chance to fight back.”

Everyone stands quietly, processing the information.

“It is true. The scene is lodged in my head. Princess Diandra caused it. She attacked Halryn for no reason, thinking she wouldn’t fight back. She may not have, but her pups sure defended her.” Simon confirms what Jane has said.

No one can say that Jane lied to protect Harlyn because Diandra’s own guard confirms it. I watch King Fredric stand speechless. He can’t even scold Simon for not protecting Diandra because Diandra would face charges if the pups hadn’t intervened.

We wait, watching for Diandra’s next move; what will she say?

“You think they took me down? That’s rubbish. I let them take me down. Watch, I can easily rip out their throats.” Diandra screams, and I move in front of them.

“No!” My word silences everyone, and I glare at Diandra. I feel someone grip my hand and turn and glare. I expect him to run in fear, but he smiles at me.

“You’re meant to picture someone you care for.” Thorin smiles at me. I don’t even know what happened. She said that and moved like she was about to attack.

Shit. Turning, everyone is looking at me, but now, when I look at Diandra, I’m ready to attack her. Sighing, I take my own advice and shake my head when I see Harlyn. Usually, I picture my mother. That’s new.

The room stays silent, and I know I need to explain. How I reacted wasn’t good.

“This has gone on long enough. Your own guard confirms you attacked Halryn without cause. If you want to punish the pups for protecting her, fine, but you’re in court yourself.” I say, my eyes going from Diandra to King Fredric.

“Before you answer, consider that you will be in court for attacking someone without a wolf and without a cause. The pups will be in court for defending someone who was attacked without cause.” They will be fine; she, however, will face more punishments. My eyes look across the room, waiting for their argument.

“That’s enough. The men have already fought one war. Can we please celebrate our victory and forget this?” Mother looks at everyone.

“Victory!” King Fredric cheers, and everyone copies. Of course, he’s quick to let this go now that the truth is out. Everyone begins to walk through to the hall to celebrate. As I enter the hall, I see Harlyn sitting with the pups, who stay cuddled against her.

They look amazing, truly beautiful. I step towards her, unsure of what I will say. A hand stops me, and I turn, seeing my mother.

“Where are you going, son?” She looks at me, waiting.

“I was...er... I...” A king shouldn’t stutter. My eyes go back to Harlyn and the pups. I just need to be near her.

“Your future wife and queen, Diandra, is over there. So why are you walking the opposite way?” She smiles at me, and I continue to stutter.

“I was...I wanted...” Shit, I glance from Harlyn to my mother.

“You can see it as well, so can I.” She smiles at me, and I stand confused by her words.

“See what, mother?” What can I see as well? I look at Harlyn. I want to be close so I know no one will touch her or the pups.

“When did you sleep with Harlyn, Stefan? When did that happen?” Mother looks at me, and I gulp.

“Hu? I don’t know what you mean,” I say, my heart thundering in my chest. I can’t say it until I speak to Harlyn. How can I?

“Why would you even suggest that?” I look at my mother, and she smiles at me.

“Because I can see you. As soon as I saw the pups, Stefan, I saw you,” she explains quietly.

“What?” I don’t understand.

“Your pups, Stefan, a mother, can see the similarities, and you will if you take time to notice.” She smiles at me.

Shit, who else has noticed?

“Stefan, if you have pups, I’m sure they would look just like those three.” Mother points towards them, and I stand here, confused and lost. I know my father didn’t tell her about that night.

So what she is saying must be true, as why else would she assume they were mine?